Florida Rugby Union Prediction Challenge

Division II

Fort Lauderdale (6-2, 32 pts) at Boca Raton (7-1, 35 pts)
Sideline Whisperer predicts: Gift Egbelu predicts:
Regular season games in Florida don’t come much bigger than this, it’s that simple. With both teams facing inferior opponents in their final game on the 28th, the winner of this game will pretty much guarantee themselves the top seed, and thus should avoid a final four matchup against Orlando, who have beaten both these sides this season at their home field. In their first meeting, the Bucs won the game with a last-second try. Since that loss, the Knights have gone 3-0, beating their opponents by an average of 40.3 to 14.3. Thing is, those three victories were against the bottom three teams in the standings. Meanwhile, Boca has wins over Jacksonville and Tampa, but also lost to Orlando on the road. Neither team played last week, so fatigue shouldn’t be a factor, and I think both sides are relatively healthy, from what my sources tell me. The talent level on each teams is very close, although each team certainly has an edge at different positions across the field. I just think Fort Lauderdale will have the revenge factor in mind and probably have the better front row, which is where many a game is decided. It wouldn’t surprise me to see this game come down to the last minute again, just like their last two meetings have. Fort Lauderdale 28, Boca Raton 27 This match is probably the best game of the week. The 7-1 Boca Raton and 6-2 Ft. Lauderdale will be a match of two power teams. The last time these two teams faced each other, it came down to the wire with Boca Raton just taking the edge in that game 32-30. Ft. Lauderdale will no doubt want to change that fact this week. Ft. Lauderdale has been great offensively on the road, averaging 33.25 points per game, and they have allowed 17.75 points per game on defense. But Boca Raton has just been a tad better. Boca Raton has allowed only 9.66 points per game at home, and scored 36.33 points per game on offense. Needless to say, I expect Boca Raton to take this game at home over Ft. Lauderdale. Boca Raton 33 – Ft. Lauderdale 20.
Miami RFC (1-6, 8 pts) at Orlando (6-2, 29 pts)
Sideline Whisperer predicts: Gift Egbelu predicts:

The visiting team were manhandled in this reverse contest two weeks ago, and there isn’t any reason to think things won’t be any different this time around. Should Fort Lauderdale lose at Boca, a win for the Griffins would leapfrog them into second place. However, next week’s game against Jax is no gimme, so there will still be plenty of work to do in order to secure a home semi. Orlando 49, Miami 12

Orlando Griffins get to be at home this weekend. This will be the rematch from two weeks ago. Orlando Griffins utterly dominated the fledgling Miami team 59-12 on the road. I don’t expect Orlando to change that up after a two week break, and at home. Look for Orlando to take this game. Orlando 47 – Miami RFC 15

Naples (1-6, 5 pts) at Tampa Krewe (1-7, 6 pts)
Sideline Whisperer predicts: Gift Egbelu predicts:

The Battle for the Basement! Have to think Krewe will be buoyed after their win over the Tridents. Tampa Krewe 35, Naples 10

The Tampa Krewe have not had a great season so far. The Hammerheads have not fared any better. Tampa Bay has yet to garner a win, though they have one game against the Orlando Griffins that they took the wire. Aside from that, Krewe have yet to be competitive in any game. Hammerheads will have the advantage in this game holding the homefield advantage. Look for the Naples Hammerheads to win this game. Tampa Krewe 17 – Naples Hammerheads 22

Miami Tridents (4-4, 19 pts) at Jacksonville (5-3, 24 pts)

Sideline Whisperer predicts: Gift Egbelu predicts:

Last time out, the Tridents took a devastating 29-20 loss at Krewe, handing Tampa their first win of the season. That defeat put the 305 gang’s season on life support, and now face a second long road trip in the space of three weeks to try and revive their campaign. A win, and the Tridents are firmly back in the race for fourth, with Jax facing a tough trip to Orlando on the 28th. A loss, and it’s game, set and match for the team who used to play across the field from where the Miami Open tennis starts next week on Key Biscayne. Can the Tridents, who aren’t known for their traveling prowess, bounce back from the Krewe loss, or was that defeat a nail in the coffin? Jax took a heavy loss at Boca in their last game and fell 30-15 to the Tridents in Miami back in late February. They are undefeated at home this season, however, including a win over Orlando, and I think they’ll have just enough to secure a playoff spot with a win. Jacksonville 24, Miami Tridents 20

Jacksonville will be hosting the Trident this weekend. Miami Trident have been picking up momentum since their loss to Ft. Lauderdale in January. On the flip side, Jacksonville has been facing tougher competition and has seen their once perfect record steadily dissipate. Jacksonville has been faltering on the road. The Tridents haven’t been so great on the road though. With the teams seeing their differentiating successes, look for Jacksonville to hold strong at home and get back on the winning circuit. I expect Jacksonville to make up their loss to Miami back on February 28th, and take the win. Look for the match to be a low scoring affair. Jacksonville 21 – Miami Tridents 20

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